Read Online Her Old-Fashioned Boss by Laylah Roberts - Free Book Online Page B

be lucky if she comes back tomorrow,” Roarke said with a sigh, pulling off his gloves. He moved over to sit on the weights bench. Sam walked over and opened the small fridge, pulling out a bottle of water. He handed it to Roarke who took it with a small smile.
    “I don’t deserve you, you know,” he said almost sadly. Sam kneeled at his feet and rested his head on Roarke’s knees. No matter how annoyed he might be at Roarke, he loved him. He was hurting at the moment, he needed Sam.
    Roarke ran his hand through Sam’s hair. “I’m sorry.”
    “I think you’re saying that to the wrong person,” Sam replied.
    “I’m not.” Sam glanced up at him in surprise, but Roarke merely pressed his head down again. “I owe you both an apology. I should never have started something without you there, and for that I owe you an apology.”
    Sam shook his head. “No, you don’t. I’m the one who pushed you into this, if it’s not what you want...”
    Roarke smiled. “I think it’s fair to say that I want her. A lot. What I don’t want is to ruin what you and I have. You’re the most important person in my world, Sam.”
    “Does that mean there’s no room for Ava?”
    Sam held his breath, waiting for his answer. He wanted Ava. Sam had material things growing up, but after his mother’s death he’d had little in the way of affection and love. So what he had now, he held on to for dear life. There was no way he was going to let Roarke go. If Roarke couldn’t handle this then Sam would have to find a way to let Ava go.
    Even if it broke his heart.
    “No, it doesn’t. It just means that I need to take this slow for all our sakes, so nothing gets messed up.
    Sam nodded. “If you don’t think you can handle this then we need to stop it now, because I could love her, easily, and while it would be hard to say goodbye to her now...”
    “Soon it will become impossible. I know. And you’re right. I have to be sure. I need to think about this for a bit. It’s Friday now, we’ve got a couple of days. Just give me some time, hmm?”
    Sam agreed, hoping that time was on their side.
     

Chapter Four
     
    Ava curled up on the bed, disgusted with herself. As soon as she’d gotten home and changed, she’d rushed down to the bakery. Having chewed and spit out two brownies and a dozen cookies, she now felt more than a little ill.
    And ashamed.
    Sniffling, she held the tears off, not willing to give into another bout of weeping.
    Enough! I’m stronger than this. I can get through this. I don’t need anyone else.
    Two pairs of blue eyes swam before her.
    What the hell is wrong with me? Not only am I lusting over my boss, but his partner as well?
    She’d well and truly ruined things now.
    “Just like always,” she muttered and punched her pillow. How could she ever face them again? She’d have to hand in her resignation; it was the only thing to do. She wouldn’t hurt either of them for the world, or come between them. And what else would she do, with the way she lusted after them.
    Rolling onto her back she ignored the ringing phone. The answering machine clicked on and she groaned as she heard Asia’s voice.
    “Ava, you better not be screening calls and ignoring me. Come on, pick up the phone, we need to talk Ava. I’ll keep calling back.”
    Knowing she’d do exactly that, Ava rolled to her side and grabbed the phone. “Hey, Asia, what’s up?”
    “Wow, you sound awful.”
    “Thanks,” Ava said dryly.
    “What’s up?”
    “Just a bad day at work.”
    “Yeah, how bad?” Asia asked.
    “Like I almost kissed my boss bad. My gay boss who is taken, bad.”
    Asia whistled. “Yep, that’s bad all right. I know just what you need.”
    Ava slumped back. “Oh yeah, and what’s that?”
    “A night out on the town with your friends, that’s what.”
    “I don’t know.” No way did she feel like going out and dancing, she wanted to hide under the covers and sleep forever.
    “Come on,” Asia wheedled. “If